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Seasoned Vet
 
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http://www.strategypage.com/fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=htinf
INFANTRY: The Designated Marksman
November 20, 2003: The idea of infantry squads having a designated marksman is back. Currently several organizations within the United States Army and Marine Corps are using designated marksman. Specifically the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, the new Stryker Brigade, and Army Special Forces as well as several Marine Expeditionary Units- Special operations Capable (MEU-SOC) and Marine Recon battalions.
Origins of the idea can be seen as far back as the World War Two. Some Marine Corps units issued M1903 Springfield rifles (with telescopes) to their infantry battalions in the Pacific islands. Another example is the soldier in the movie “Saving Private Ryan” who is armed with such a M1903 Springfield rifle. The designated marksmen initially were Soldiers or Marines that were good shots and were given the rifles while not necessarily getting additional training. In more recent times organizations have developed their own doctrine and training. Designated marksmen have been and continue to be used in Afghanistan and Iraq (see: http://m14.freeservers.com/photo4.html). The designated marksman is a member of a rifle squad that has additional training in marksmanship and observation. He is not a sniper. Snipers normally hunt their targets; designated marksman’s targets are more opportunity based. Designated marksmen are normally used in an over watch role. The designated marksman engages targets at ranges that are deemed inappropriate for rifleman with M16s and need precise rifle fire.
The weapon of choice is the M14, a weapon using the 7.62 x 51mm (7.62 NATO, aka .308 Winchester). This cartridge has an effective range of 1,000 meters. Variations depend on units. The Marine Corps built their rifles from stocks of M14s on hand. National Match barrels are mated with fiberglass stocks and scope rails to allow different optics to be used. They also have adjustable cheek pieces and spacer plates to adjust the length of the stock to the shooters preferences. The 101st Airborne got their rifles commercial off the shelf (COTS). They bought Springfield M1As, the civilian version of the M14. The Stryker Brigade were fielded their weapons thru the Rapid Fielding Initiative. Optics and accessories vary depending on the organization
Investing the time and money into the idea of designated riflemen will ensure that the programs will be around for a while. The future of the designated riflemen will likely expand through all infantry formations within the Army and the Marine Corps, with possible expansion into security formations such at military police and US Air Force security police. There may also be joint doctrinal publications to define the doctrine. It is unlikely that there will be a joint school for designated riflemen. For one thing, it's easier to do this training at the battalion or brigade level. Secondly because the designated riflemen is not a special Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), but just another skill. So there will be no special school. Finally the Army and Marine Corps haven’t merged their sniper schools, so it is unlike to see it happen at a lower level for designated rifleman. The current operational tempo (OPTEMPO) with units deployed world wide will likely help expand the designated marksman program more quickly then in the pre- Sept 11th environment. -- David Shannon
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Jump Booted Thug
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I love the idea - and its obviously very effective. Kudos to the NCO who gave the officer the idea! [ ]
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Strac Trooper
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Anything that puts the M-14 Back in the hands of Infantryman
 
Fighters are our salvation, But BOMBERS alone provide us with the means of VICTORY! - Winston Churchill
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Stare Master
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I actually thought the designated marksman was supposed to be a platoon level asset, not a squad level. It seems to me that having it at the squad level is a bad idea because it actually reduces the squad's firepower when doing fire and maneuver.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Jump Booted Thug
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quote:
Originally posted by 509Trooper
I actually thought the designated marksman was supposed to be a platoon level asset, not a squad level. It seems to me that having it at the squad level is a bad idea because it actually reduces the squad's firepower when doing fire and maneuver.
This is just a guess (because I definitely don't know), but I would think the DMs would come from weapons squad. Just like when me and my 60 would get attached to squads during patrols. That would maintain the contemporary level of firepower.
Not that it would make much of a difference if I'm incorrect. Suppressive fire is suppressive fire. The DMs just have to do a few more mag changes. Roger?
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______________________________________________- Look Before You Turn
- Turn Right to Avoid Collisions
- Lower Jumper has the Right of Way
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Stare Master
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Well, the DM would be(or at least should be) firing single shots at readily identifiable targets and not automatic in a suppressing fire role. They would be able to identify targets during fire and maneuver, but should be emplaced in an overwatch position where they can provide immediate fire on targets of opportunity while the squad continues its assault
I agree that they should be in the platoon weapons squad where they can be parceled out to rifle squads as needed for specific missions/operations. But it should be the PL that controls their employment to a rifle squad or in support of an assault by the platoon on an objective. This article talks about them as if they are part of the rifle squad.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Seasoned Vet
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I agree that an M-14 equipped designated marksmen should be part of the weapon's squad and used for overwatch from a supporting position in the same way that the M-240 is used. He should concentrate on high value targets such as leadership, radiomen, enemy MG teams, and enemy snipers/marksmen. His targets should be selected by PL or Weapon's Squad leader.
A Platoon level designated marksmen would provide very descriminate fire and thus would work well in an urban area to avoid civilian casaulties that would result from indescriminate machinegun fire.
A 7.62mm weapon's system is employed because of it's greater range and greater accuracy at increased ranges (>500m). Therefore this weapon system should be employed in a Platoon level supporting position. It makes no sense whatsoever to have it with a squad who will be engaged much to close to the enemy to get any real benefit from a low volume of fire precision accuracy 7.62mm weapon's system.
Now, the squad itself could have it's own squad level designated marksmen, but the weapon's system used should be an accurized 5.56mm M-16A4 with 4x ACOG combat scope IMO. That way there will be no loss in firepower to the squad.
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